Floating unit and fleet



April 13,1937. C J, BAER 2,076,535'.

FLOATING UNIT AND FLEET Filed March 30, 1955 3 sheetssheet 1 April 13, 1937. C. J, BAER l 2,076,535

FLOATING UNIT AND FLEET Y Filed March 50, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheetv 2 April 13, 1937. c. J. BAER FLOATING UNI'T AND FLEET Filed March 30, 1935 3 Sheets-'Sheet 3 \n\| ,alli l |l||IAWIIIIIInIlIIIOlIIIIiIQII [Gil mmm Patented Apr. 13, 193,7

UNITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to a boat or barge unit adapted for consolidation into a iieet for water navigation, especially suitable for use on rivers and canals. K

a This is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 713,9'7, iiled March 3, 1934.

Y. The primary object of the invention is to provision of a unit which is so constructed at its bow, stern and sides that it may be combined Awith like or similar units into iieets of different forms in such a manner that friction or Water resistance will be reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a particular construction so arranged that it may be loaded by a Water ballast to turn it on its side, thus permitting the parts normally below the water line to be exposed for cleaning, repairing and painting.

Other and specific objects will be apparent from the following detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view of a unit embodying the invention;

- Fig. 2 is a side elevation;

- Fig. 3 to Fig. 10 inclusive are diagrammatical -views of eets of different forms formed of units such as are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 Fig. 1l shows a fleet of units in combination with a` pushing power unit;

Fig. 12 is a detail plan view showing means for connecting the units in a fleet; Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan view showing the `connecting means; and Fig. 14 shows a ileet composed of a modified form of unit.

` The boat or barge unit is constructed in the form of a trapezoid with a longer side I and a shorter side 2 forming the bases of the trapezoid and straight ends 3 forming the legs thereof.

The units 3 meet the longer side I at acute angles and the shorter side 2 at obtuse angles. As `specifically illustrated in Figs. 1 to 13 inclusive, each' unit is in the form of an isosceles trape- Zoid, the ends being similarly disposed with relation to the sides. The sides and ends are preferably vertical, although they need not be so. When vertical the units t together in fleets as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings in such a manner as to eliminate water pockets 501between the units and thus reduce the power required for their propulsion.

A VFig. 3 illustrates a simple eet of barges combined with a tow boat 4 secured by a hawser 5 for towing or pulling ,the eet. The simplest asv sembly for the units comprises a pair ofrunits .oers the least water resistance.

designated 6 and I which are placed side to side with the longer side of one conterminous with the longer side of the other as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 also shows an elemental form or foundation of a fleet which comprises a series of units, 5 6, 8, 9, Il! and II, placed end to end, each unit having its sides arranged in line respectively with dissimilar sides of the adjacent unit. Thus the unit 6 has its shorter side in line with the longer side of the adjacent unit 8 and the unit 9 has its 10 shorter side in line with the longer side of the units 8 and Iii. Another line of barges 1,'8a, 9a, Illa and IIa. is placed side by side with the line 6, 8, 9, I E? and ll, as clearly shown in the drawings. It will be apparent that the unit as illus- 15 trated provides a form which can be combined with many others to form a iieet having a pointed bow and a pointed stern.

Fig. 4 shows a fleet such as that illustrated in Fig. 3 with a number of units I2 added to the f sides thereof. Fig. 5 shows a fleet such as that illustrated in Fig. 4 with further units I3 added. It will be noticed that if an even number of units are added the symmetry of the ieet can be maintained and, in any event, the streamline shape can be imparted to the fleet.

Fig. '7 illustrates an arrangement of the fleet in which units I4 have been added to such a fleet as shown in Fig. 5 in such a manner as to give an enlarged head or prow. Fig. 8 shows the addition of units I 6 and I'I to the eet illustrated in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 shows the addition of units I8 to the fleet shown in Fig. 8.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that the units may be combined in a iieet in such a manner as to maintain bilateral symmetry, as well as to maintain a streamline shape. It is to be un- `derstood, of course, that particular units may be removed from a ileet Without streamline form.

Particular emphasis may be laid on the fleets shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, in which the bow of the fleet is enlarged as compared to the stern destroying a to produce a form which is ovate, or more strictly,

ovate-lanceolate, that is approximately the form 45 of a torpedo. This is the streamline form which This shape is that of a fish or whale and is sometimes referred to as amoeboid. It is the form assumed by a drop of water in falling, and by a sand bar forming in a river current.

Fig. 10 illustrates the arrangement of a fleet arranged for canal transportation in which the line of units 6, `8, 9, I0 and IIare spaced from a similar line ."I, 8a, 9a, I 0a and IIa by means of laf..55

barge units together.

tow boat I9. Particular utility is presented in this assembly on account of the arrangement of the tow boat with lines of barges so spaced as to confine the current provided by the propellers and thus protect the banks of the canal. In canal work towing of power boats s limited in speed on account of bank washing due to the currents generated by the propeller of the tow boat and the bow wash. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 10 this cutting of banks will be reduced while permitting the fleet to move at a higher rate of speed. The bow wash is reduced by minimizing the beam surface arc of the bow of the fleet.

Fig. 11 shows an arrangement in which units 6, 1, 8 and 8a are combined with a tow boat or pair of tow boat units 20; the tow boat or units having a pointed bow to fit in the stern formed by the units 8 and 8a. In this connection it will be observed that the power boat or unit may be placed in front of the fleet to pull, as illustrated in Fig. 3 or it may be placed in the rear of the fleet to push as exemplified by Fig. l1, or, of course, it may be connected to the side of the fleet as either a pushing or pulling unit. In case it is placed at the side the longer side of the unit will preferably adjoin the side of the power unit.

Attention is directed to Fig. 8 where the addition of the units I1 form forked spaces at their stern ends. To prevent back suction from causing a drag on the fleet the sterns of these units I1 are spaced slightly from the adjacent units. This spacing may be accomplished with a piece of rope, since a space of an inch or two is ample.

In the operation of fleets or units it will be obvious that they may be loaded with cargo for delivery at diierent ports. The arrangement of the units disclosed herein is such that any of them may be dropped from the fleet and delivered to a port and empty or loaded units may be added to the iieet at that port while maintaining a streamline form. The unit herein described is particularly adapted to be operated in fleet formation and one or more units set out at a port or picked up at a port. In any event, the units of the fleet may readily be arranged whereby a new formation of the units may be put together to the best advantage for reducing the frictional action by the water and adaption to the width of the channel. Units may be added readily to accomplish this purpose ordinarily without rearranging the units that are already in the iieet.

In assembling the fleet it is preferable that units of greater draft be placed in front of units of lighter draft and the deeper draft units be placed in the center rows of barges with the lighter draft units toward the outside of the iieet.

The units may be equipped with kevels or timberheads 2l at their ends and along their sides in any conventional manner or form. Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate means for connecting the More specifically a cornposite ratchet and chain fastening device 22 may be employed for connecting kevels or timberheads 2| on adjacent units. The device may be equipped for use with or without a spring 23, said spring being made a supplemental part of the Acomplete ratchet and chain attachment unit in order to provide flexibility between the units when necessary, such as when the units are pulled by a power boat from a hawser. It also provides means for giving flexibility to a fleet where flexibility is desired. When such flexibility is not desired but where a rigid fleet is wanted a chain 24, shown in Fig. 13, may be used. It will be obvious, of course, that the fleet may be connected with lines in any well known and conventional manner.

Such a unit will be ordinarily supplied with a closed top or roof 25 and provided with hatches 26. The units may be, and preferably are, supplied with bulkheads 21 at their ends and bulkheads 28 along the sides. The bulkheads 21 are so positioned as to form a bilaterally symmetrical loading compartment. The bulkheads 28 are of particular importance because they enable the proper trimming of the barge. The bulkheads 28 are situated adjacent the vertical sides of the unit in such a manner as to form chambers along the sides which may be filled with water or other ballast to trim the barge. Preferably the chambers formed by the bulkheads 28 are of such size as when iilled with water ballast and the barge is empty they will tip the barge on its side permitting the cleaning, repairing and painting of those parts ordinarily below water line. 'I'his is of considerable advantage because it obviates the necessity of dry docking the units for cleaning, painting and repairing.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as well as in Figs. 3 to 1'2 inclusive, shows the plan of the unit as that of an isosceles trapezoid. That is the sides are parallel and the units respectively make equal angles with a side. While the form of isosceles trapezoid is of particular utility in that the many forms of fleet illustrated may be formed out of identical units, it is not necessary that the form be isosceles. This is illustrated in Fig. 14, which shows the ends respectively having different angularity with respect to the sides.

Fig. 14 shows a fleet built up of units having such differences of angularity. In this illustration we may take for example a case where one end of the unit meets the longer side at an angle of 45 and where the other end meets the longer side at an angle of 40. The iieet consists of the units 29, 30, 3l, 32, 33 and 34. Units 29, 30 and 3l are arranged end to end and are identical one with the other. The units 32, 33 and 34 are identical one with the other and are similar but oppositely disposed from the units 29, 30 and 3|. It is to be emphasized that, if the angularity at the bow and stern is not the same, differently constructed units (rights and lefts) of equal number are required to produce a streamline symmetrical fleet.

While it has been said here that the ends meet the sides at an angle it will be understood, of

course, that in actual practice the edges formed by the meeting of the sides and ends will not be sharp but will be curved to meet the requirement of actual construction and also to avoid damage to the units when the edge of one comes in contact with another unit. In speaking of shape and form it will be understood that it is the general shape and form that is meant.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that applicant has provided a boat or barge unit which can be readily assembled in a eet formed in a streamline manner and without pockets between the several units. Such a fleet reduces the cost of operation over that of conventional forms of barges by reducing the power required for its towing.

A fleet composed of these units has a decided safety feature over one composed of conventional barges. In case an obstruction is encountered the impact will cause a wedging action between the units, snapping the lines, but no further damage .will be done.

With the use of these units having vertical sides and ends and arranged in a eet without pockets a eet of smaller area is required to carry an equal tonnage. That is to say, in comparison with a ileet of the same over-all area composed of conventional river scows having inclined ends, a iieet composed in accordance with this invention will handle a very much greater tonnage. This is an advantage not only in saving of power but also in having of space in locks and channels and in ease of handling.

Since the essential features of the invention are pointed out in the appended claims it is obvious that various changes may be made in the details of construction, within the scope of the claims, while retaining the benets and advantages of the invention.

I claim:

1. A boat unit adapted to be placed in contiguity with others of its kind to form a barge iieet and having the form of an isosceles trapezoid, the sides of the unit forming the bases of the trapezoid and the ends the legs of the trapezoid.

2. A bilateral symmetrical fleet of barge units each having parallel sides and straight ends with the sides and ends forming a trapezoid, the sides being the bases of the gure and the ends being the legs thereof.

3. In a eet of barge units a plurality of like units arranged end to end each in the form of a trapezoid with the sides forming the bases of the trapezoid and the ends the legs thereof, each of said units having its sides arranged in line respectively with dissimilar sides of the adjacent unit or units.

4. A boat unit adapted to be placed in contiguity with others of its kind to form a barge fleet and having parallel sides and straight ends with the sides and ends forming a trapezoid, the sides being the bases of the gure and the ends being the legs thereof.

5. A boat unit adapted to be placed in contiguity with others of its kind to form a barge eet and having parallel sides and straight ends with the sides and ends forming a trapezoid, the sides being the bases of the iigure and the ends being the legs thereof, and both ends meeting one side at acute angles respectively and meeting the other side at obtuse angles.

6. In a eet of barge units a pair of similar units each having parallel sides and straight ends forming a trapezoid, the sides being the bases of the figure and the ends being the legs, the two units being assembled with the side of one conterminous with the like side of the other.

7. A oatable barge or boat unit adapted to be placed in contiguity with others of its kind to form a barge eet and having the top and bottom identical in shape and size with vertical sides and ends, the plan of the top and bottom having the form of an isosceles trapezoid with the two angles formed by one side with the two ends equal.

CARL J. BAER. 

